4th of July

2010

The Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce announces the theme for this year’s 4th of July celebrations: “Sitka, a Distinctive City in a Distinctive Nation”. The theme was chosen to recognize Sitka’s designation as one of the 2010 Dozen Distinctive Destinations. 

Since 2000, the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Dozen Distinctive Destination program has recognized cities and towns that offer an authentic visitor experience by combining dynamic downtowns, cultural diversity, attractive architecture, cultural landscapes and a strong commitment to historic preservation, sustainability and revitalization. In each community, residents have joined together and taken action to protect their town’s character.

The NTHP’s site states, in their introduction to Sitka, “The town boasts a history dating back 10,000 years when the Tlingit Natives migrated to what is now the largest remaining temperate rainforest in the world.  Later, Sitka became the Russian-American capital and was known as the "Paris of the Pacific." Many of the sites and traditions that make up Sitka's cultural heritage are still at the center of daily life in the bustling downtown.”

The parade will be held on Sunday, July 4th, beginning at 2pm. The Grand Marshall for the parade will be Senator Richard ‘Dick’ Eliason, who was also chosen as this year’s winner of the Cossack Cap award.

This year's fireworks display will happen on Saturday, July 3rd, at approximately 11:30pm. The location will again be the ramp at MEHS.

The Chamber would like to extend a HUGE thank you to Petro Marine Services, who are again providing this terrific display for the entire town. The pyrotechnics and the insurance are hugely expensive, to say nothing of the knowledge and manpower to put on a display like they have for the past several years.

More information about the schedule of events and the parade will be announced closer to the 4th of July.  The Chamber of Commerce will be coordinating the parade. They may be reached, for registrations, at 747-8604.

Schedule

2009 Photos
" Alaska Statehood - 49 Stars, 50 Years"

49 Star Flag Raising Reenactment July 3 Midnight/July 4, 2009 – Castle Hill in Sitka
Members of the Alaska National Guard: Staff Sergeant Tyson Drew Sergeant Paul Norwood Private First Class Richard Lowery Private Kristopher Weaver Playing the part of the Marine: Jaime Dequine, in dress blues Playing the following Alaska Day committee roles:                   George Beacom                   Steve Dalquist, Alaska Day committee                   Alice Harrigan                     Patty Stedman, Alice’s granddaughter                   Pat Smith                            Trish White, Pat’s granddaughter
Sitkans enjoyed the city fireworks and a reenactment on Castle Hill commemorating the ‘unofficial’ raising of the first 49 star American flag Friday, July 3, 2009 and at 12:01am, on July 4. The fireworks were set off from the ramp at Mt. Edgecumbe High School. Many viewed them from Castle Hill, as the 49 star flag was raised. The Chamber of Commerce organized the one-time event, with the assistance of several individuals who played the roles of those who were present at the original event. The original 49 star flag-raising was organized by members of the Alaska Day Committee and attended by Governor and Mrs. William Egan, members of the First Battalion Group, 9th Infantry, and at least one Marine. A photo was taken with a clock showing the hour to document the fact that the flag was raised here in Sitka prior to the official flag-raising in Juneau. Read these PDF articles from the Sentinel: Flag raised-Sentinel July 6, 1959.pdf (275kb) and 49 Star Flag-Sentinel-92.pdf (192kb).